Candle holder



J. M. POWERS CANDLE HOLDER Aprii 16, 1935.

Filed Jan. 17, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Q? M 1; 8 (by ATTORN g Apfifi 116 M35, J. M. POWERS CANDLE HOLDER Filed Jan. 17, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. J57??? Po w era ATTORNEY5 Patented Apr. 16, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application January 17,

1 Claim.

As is well known, candles when used in re ous and social ceremonies are sometimes supported within hollow candlestick-s constructed and decorated to simulate a candle supported in a 5 holder. In such constructions the upper portion of the holder, i. e., that made to represent a candie, is hollow and the candle itself is supported therein in such a fashion that the wick and the flame arising therefrom extend above "the upper end of the false candle, whereby the effect of a burning candle which never shortens in length is produced.

In apparatus of the above described character the tubular false candle housing the actual candle is at its upper end provided with suitable stop means against which the actual candle is resiliently urged by m ans movably supporting the actual candle within the housing.

Devices oi the above described character have a number of disadvantages which will be briefly enumerated so that the objects of the present invention may be more fully appreciated. The candles employed in the apparatus now commonly used are generally ignited by touching a lighted taper to the wick. This is a very uncertain and time-consuming method and it is one of the objects of my invention to provide means for i niting the candle characterized by simplicity of construction and operation and which positively insures that the candles will be ignited.

It is among the objects of my invention to provide improved means whereby the candles of a series may be extinguished either selectively or sequentially and in an improved manner.

When a series of devices of the above described character are arranged in a group such as on altars and the like, it is customary to replenish the actual candles in their holders at stated periods. For a number of different reasons which need not be explained, the rate at which the several candles burn varies considerably. When all of the candles in the series are replenished. it is not found that certain of ie candles have not been entirely consumed but a considerable of the original candle still present I is general practice to remove these and discard th m so that each of holdthe entire series may be supplied with 1-,. It among the objects of my invention to provide means whereby this wasteful discard of pr. 11y used may be avoided. It is a further object of this invention to provide means whereby it is necessary to service the holders with a fresh supply of candles much less he 1934, Serial No. 706,953

quently than has been necessary with devices now in common use.

In devices now in common use in which the actual candle is movably and resiliently supported within a false candle in the manner and for 5 the purpose previously explained, considerable difi'iculty is had with the means for so movably supporting the candles. The means employed in the prior art has usually constituted a coiled spring positioned in a compressed state between the lower end of the candle and the bottom of the candle recess in the holder. Such springs have been very expensive, uncertain in their ac tion and generally unsatisfactory.

It is among the objects of my invention to provide means whereby the candle or candles may be fed upwardly into the pro-per burning position by means more positive in their action and so constructed that there is much less possibility of becoming fouled or out of adjustment.

With devices as heretofore employed it has not been possible excepting by a bodily removal or the candle from its holder to determine the amount of unburned candle in the holder. It is among the objects of my invention to provide means whereby the amount of unburned candle in the holder may be determined at a glance and without the disassembly or removal of any parts. Other objects of my invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claim.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain structure and mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various structural and mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used:

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through an apparatus constructed in accordance with certain principles of my invention; Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of a portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1 taken on a plane substantially indicated by the line 2-2; Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through an apparatus similar to that illustrated in Fig. l but illustrating a modified form of construction of the means for feeding the candle upwardly through its associated holder; Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of a portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 3 taken on a plane substantially indicated by the line li; Figs. 5 and 5a are vertical sectional views similar to Figs. 1 and 3 out illustrating further modified forms of the feeding means for the candle; Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional View of a portion of apparatus such as is illustrated in the previous figures but illustrating amodified form of themeans for engaging and feeding the candle or candles; Fig. '7 is a transverse sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 6 taken on a plane substantially indicated by the line 'ii; Fig. 8 is a part sectional, part side elevational view of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a candle series constructed in accordance with certain principles of my invention; Figs. 16 and 11 illustrate two modes by which t e wicks of separate candles may be joined or connected together so that when such candles are fed in succession upwardly through apparatus such as is illustrated in Fig. 6, the flame from the upper candle may pass to the wick on the lower candle; Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic representation of means whereby a series of candles may be electrically ignited and Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic representation of a system whereby the several candles of a group or series may be simultaneously or selectively extinguished.

Referring now more specifically to the drawlugs and more especially to Fig. l, the device here illustrated consists generally of a candle holder base indicated at 5 upon which is supported a vertically extending tubular member 2 decorated so as to simulate a candle supported in the holder or base i. Positioned within the tubular member 2 and preferably concentric therewith is a candle-guiding tube or channel 3 which, at its upper end, is provided with stop fingers adapted to engage the upper end of the candle for the purpose hereinafter more fully explained. The construction fthe candle-guiding means .3 and its associated stop means l may be constructed and-supported in various ways. For example, the holder 3 may merely by a series of vertically extending, relatively narrow strips of resilient material with a stop member such as formed at the upper end of each strip and whereby the candle may be inserted into the holder 3 by merely spreading apart the several sections thereof or the holder 3 may be substantially tubular with the section in the form of an annular flange extending around the upper end of such tubular member. With a construction such as last described, some means should be provided whereby the lower end of the tubular member 3 may be removably secured to the holder l by some such means such as a bayonet joint.

The base i is provided with a vertically extending opening through which extends a spindle or shaft 6 which at its upper end carries a candle-supporting plate or cup i. Secured to the shaft or spindle 6 or its associated cup 1 is a radially extending arm 3 which extends outwardly through a slot 9' inthe tubular member 2; the slot 9 extending axially of the tubular member 2 permits the arm 3 to rise as the candle H! is burned, thereby indicating at all times the amount of such candle which remains unconsumed.

To the lower side of the base H which supports the holder 5 there may be secured a pulley it about which is trained a rope or cable it, at one end secured to the spindle 8 and at its other end secured to a counterweight Hi. It is evident that the counterweight H5 is effective to, at all times resiliently urge the spindle E and the candle it supported on its upper end upwardly so that the upper end of the candle abuts against the stop i. As the candle is consumed by burning, the spindle will be moved upwardly so that the wick to of the candle is always in the proper position with respect to the upper end of the tubular member 2.

Associated with the aforementioned apparatus and for convenience, lying on the outside and to the rear of the holder l and the tubular section 2 is a conduit #6 which at its lower end is 'connected to fluid supply pipe i? and at its upper end 98 is directed towards the wick l5. As clears ly illustrated in Fig. 2, the conduit 56 may be enclosed in a housing it which is secured to and extends laterally and axially of the shell 2 where by the conduit 56 may be protected from injury and the general. appearance of the apparatus improved. 7

Within the hollow conduit i5 is an electrical conductor in the form of a wire it which, at its upper end, extends out or the conduit it as at 25 into the immediate proximity of the wick i5. seemed to the upper end of the casing 2 is a conductor member 2i which with the conductor member 2% forms two spaced electrodes between which a spark may be established for the purpose of igniting the wick iii. In order to permit a spark to be established, as above explained, it is necessary, or course, that the shell 2 or the electrode 2i supported thereby be properly grounded or connected'to the other side of the power line to which the lead i9 is connected. The apparatus by which the are may be established between the electrodes 29 and 2E and by which aseries of candles may be ignited in sequence will be later explained in greater detail.

The apparatus illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 is substantially identical with that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 and just described with the exception of the means for resiliently moving the candle H3 upwardly in its associated holder. In Figs. 3 and 4 there is supported on the bottom of the base it a bracket member which rotatably supports a screw shaft The screw shaft 23 may be of any suitable construction and cross-section so long as helical ribs are provided whereby the nut 24 in threaded engagement therewith may be moved vertically relatively to the base H upon rotation of the screw 23. The nut it is provided with a lateral extension 25 to which the lower end of the spindle 5 is secured.

Mounted concentrically with the lower end of the screw shaft 23 is a clock-spring generally indicated at the inner end of which is secured to the shaft 23 and the outer end of which is secured to the pin .2? supported on the bracket 22. The lower end of the shaft 23 extends through the bracket'2'2 and terminates in a prismatic extension 28 for the reception of a suitable winding wrench or key by which the spring may be Wound and tensioned.

The spring 25 will normally be tension-ed'to urge the screwshaft 23 for rotation in such a direction as to urge the spindle 6 upwardly and consequently urge the candle ll upwardly against the step i.

Instead of supporting the clock-spring 2% lat erally with respect to the axis of the spindle ii and driving such spindle upwardly by means of the nut '24 on the screwshaft I nay prefer to' provide a threaded spindle 29 in place of the spindle 6, as illustrated in Fig. 5. In this last mentioned figure, a bracket so is secured to the lower face of the base ll. Rotatably supported in the lower arm of the bracket 35 is a nut 3i which is in threaded engagement with the shaft or spindle 29.

Mounted concentrically with the nut 35 is a clock-spring 32 which, at its inner end, is secured to the nut 35 and at its outer end is secured to the bracket 36 in any suitable fashion, such as by a pin similar to 2'! illustrated in Fig. 3, or by a loop formed on the end of the spring and hooked about the vertically extending portion of the bracket 38. The upper portion of the bracket 35 carries a pin 33 which terminates in an axially extending groove formed in the shaft 29 and by which such shaft is prevented from rotating.

Rotatably supported on t -e bracket 3% is a gear 34 which is in mesh with a pinion 35 formed on the hub of the nut 3 i. The shaft 36 to which the gear 3 is secured may be provided with a thumb-screw extension 3? by which the gear may be rotated. The spring 32 may be wound to any suitable degree of tension by first withdrawing the pin 33 from the groove in the spindle 29 and then rotating the thumb-screw 3'5 for any desired extent.

Instead of supporting the driving means below the base I, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 3 and 5, which requires the provision of an opening through such base, I may provide a driving means as illustrated in Fig. 5adisposed entirely within the shell 2 so that it is not necessary to, in any way, alter the candle-holder I as any such alteration may not be desirable in valuable holders.

In the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 5a, the shell 2 has a bracket 3t secured thereto on its inner periphery which bracket, in form, is very similar to the bracket 35 illustrated in Fig. 5. The screw stem 22% of the construction illus trated in Fig. 5 is of such length that when a fresh candle blank H3 is inserted in the holder,

the lower end of the screw will be just above the bottom of the shell 2. A clcckspring or other suitable device such as 32 is employed along with apparatus similar to that illustrated in Fig. 5 for the purpose of resiliently urging the candle lit upwardly against the stops Suitable provision must, of course, be made for winding the clockspring 32 and to this end the winding key such as is illustrated at in Fig. 5 may extend laterally out of the shell 2 at its rear side.

The above described apparatus, variously illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, is characterl ed by the provision of means for supporting single candle sections, which when consumed, must be replaced by a new section inserted in any suitable fashion, as previously described, into the candle guide 3. When apparatus such as above described and variously illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 is employed, and particularly when a plurality of candle holders are employed together in a group, it is customary, as previously indicated, to replenish the candles in the several holders of the group at the same time and regardless of whether all of the candles have been completely consumed. This practice results in a waste of a considerable portion of some of the candles inasmuch as the several candies of the group do not burn at the same rate. In order to prevent such waste, and to also reduce the frequency with which the candle holders must be serviced, I provide a holder and feeding means as illustrated in Figs. 6 to 8 and a candle structure as variously illustrated in Figs. 9 to 11.

In Fig. 6 there is illustrated only the upper portion of the candle holder, more fully shown in Figs. 1, 3 The construction illustrated in Fig. 6 includes the tubular member and the candle-guiding means 3 of the structure illustrated in the previous figures, as well as the supporting base 5 and either or any of the driving means specifically illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5. In the modified construction as illustrated in 6, however, the driving spindle, here generally indicated at 38, instead of extending axia .3 upwardly through the holder 5 is preferably disposed at one side of hold r. ficd construction the open also enlarged for an amount suificient to errait the candles to be fed upwa y through the base i and into the guiding means The guiding in this last modification is provided with a bracket generally indicated at l in Fig. 8 which supports spaced shafts and 52, which carry s eaves about whi n are trained an endless bolt The belt or chain M is provided with legs or projections l-li which extend into the spaces defined by the g .e to thereby engage the candles st and the belt is moved, feed such candles upwardly against the stop l.

The gui e 3 supports a spring blade at a point preferably diametrically opposite from the belt 44 so that the candles 3S may be supported centrally of the gu de 3 while engaged by the belt thus prevented from binding in the guides.

The bracket id is provided with vertically spaced extensions ll in which is journaled the spindle to the upper end of which th re is socured a bevel gear 4 8. The gear meshes ch a bevel pinion t8 keyed to the shaft 22 so that upon rotation of the spindle 3.., the shaft may be rotated and the belt 44- driven about the sheaves #53.

As previously indicated, any suitable means may be provided for rotating the shaft is Within the contemplation of my invention to employ a clock-spring such as a the same directly to the lower end of a movement of the righthand run of the bel. as viewed in Fig. 6, upwardly to c 39 against the stop as the end or consumed by burning. The appa scribed may be enclosed in a hen rear side of the casing .5, whereby so may be hidden from sight and protec foreign material.

As above indicated, the apparatus illustrated Figs. 6 to 8 is adapted to operate upon candles which are fed upwardly throt, n enle ed opening in the base I. It is a ncipai ob e-ct of my invention to provide for this purpose candle series, such as illustrated Fig. 9. Th s candle series consists of a plurality of candle sections 5! which are molded or otheruhc suitably formed on a continuous wick or thread 52. The sections 54 are spaced sufficiently and the adjacent ends thereof relieve-d so that such may be either coiled or is; folded in a 53a, as illustrated. When a ca dle s o characteri employed, the h c c. We b'e shoved upwardly through guide unt l it engages with the projections clock-spring then acting thin I the spindl, so, feeds such series upwardly ag act the guide and continues such feeding until the entire serie V he candles is consumed. The only attention required, therefore, is to keep the clock-spring wound in the manner previously illustrated. It will be readily apparent that when this type of candle series is employed, it is necessary to service the candle holders much less frequently than when apparatus such as is illustrated in Fig. l, for instance, is employed. Furthermore, the continuous feeding in succession of the several sections eliminates all waste, as above explained.

While a clockspring has been illustrated. as the driving means in the several modifications above described, it should be noted, however, that it is within the contemplation of my invention to employ other driving means such as an induction disc type mot-or for feeding the candle or candles. If this type of drive is employed, the usual advantages of an electric drive are realized.

Instead of employing a candle series consisting of sections joined together on a single wick 52, I may employ separate candle sections joined by the expedients illustrated in Figs. and 11. The expedients for adjoining adjacent candle sections, as illustrated in these lastnamed figures, may also be employed for the purpose of connecting one candle series to another when one series has become consumed and it becomes necessary to supply a second series.

In Fig. 10, the wicks 53 are woven in tubular form so that the upper end 5d of the lower wick may be pointed and inserted in the coniform flared portion 55 of the upper wick. This insertion or arrangement in overlapping relation of the two wicks is necessary in order to insure that the flame from the upper wick, when the upper candle section is consumed will travel downwardly and ignite the lower wick. Instead of employing the particular wick structure and mode of joining, as illustrated in Fig. 10, solid wicks such as 56 illustrated in Fig. 11 may be joined together by looping or tying in order to insure that the flame from the upper candle, when such candle has become consumed, will travel downwardly and ignite the wick in the lower candle.

Regardless of the particular type of feeding or supporting means employed,'I prefer, as previously indicated, to provide means for elecv trically igniting the candles and for extinguishthe latter disclosing the means whereby the candles may be extinguished.

Referring now, therefore, to Fig. 12, the device for igniting the candles will first be described and its mode of. operation explained.

A transformer consisting generally of a primary winding 5?, a secondary winding 58 and an iron core 59 is connected across a suitable source of electric power represented by the leads 50 and BI. A switch 62 may be in series with the primary winding 57. The electrodes 20 and 2! most clearly illustrated in Figs. 1, 3 and 5 in their relationship to the candle or candles are respectively connected to the leads 63 and 64 from the secondary winding 58 of the transformer. A switch, generally indicated at 65 may be arranged in series with each of the electrodes 20.

In order to ignite the several candles, it is only necessary to close the switches 6-5, whereupon the high voltage across the secondary winding 58 of the transformer will cause an arc to spring between the electrodes 29 and 2|. The heat of the arc is effective to ignite the wick of the candle but as soon as the flame is established, the switches 65 may be opened and the candle will continue to burn.

The means diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 13 are effective to selectively extinguish any one or all of the candles which have previously been ignited as just described. As explained in connection with the description of Fig. 1, each of the candles has a hollow tube, generally indicated at E6 associated therewith, such tubes leading from the fluid pressure supply pipes ii. The several pipes II will preferably be connected to a distributor, generally indicated at 66, which consists of a stationary outer shell 5'! provided with a plurality of radially extending apertures respectively in communication with the several conduits I1 and another radial aperture 68 for the purpose hereinafter more fully explained.

Positioned within the shell '6 and movable relative thereto is a plug or core 69 which is centrally provided with a passage 10 connected with any suitable source of fluid under pressure such as compressed air. The plug 69 has a radially extending passage H therein adapted to be selectively brought into alignment with the aperture 68 or the several apertures in the shell 61 which communicate with the conduits II.

A header 12 is provided which is connected to the aperture 68 in the shell Bl by means of the conduit 13 and to the several pipes i! by conduits, generally indicated at 14.

If the plug 59 is positioned relatively to its shell 6'! so that the passage ll lies intermediately between the opening 68 and the first opening connected to the pipe II, no air will flow from the passage it to any of such last-named pipes. If the user of the apparatus desires to extinguish all of the candles simultaneously, he need simply turn the plug 69 in a counterclockwise direction to bring the passage l I into communication with the passage 68. This will automatically result in a blast of air being projected from each of the conduits i6 extinguishing all of the candles at once. If it is desired to extinguish the candles in sequence instead of simultaneously, the user will rotate the plug clockwise to successively bring the passage H into communication with the respective ports in the shell 6'! which communicate with the several pipes ii.

A valve might be provided in the line supplying the fluid under pressure to the passage. NJ and if such valve were provided, the user of the apparatus might extinguish any selected one of the several candles by the following procedure:- He would first close the valve leading to the passage 10, whereupon he would rotate the plug 69 to bring the passage H into alignment with the particular passage in the shell 61 through which and through its associated conduits l6 and. 1-1 air may be delivered under pressure to the selected candle. After the plug 69 has been positioned in this manner, the operator will then open the valve admitting air to the passage ill and extinguishing the selected candle.

It is to be understood that any suitable manipulating device such as a control knob may be provided for the purpose of rotating the plug 69 and such knob or any other suitable handle may have a dial associated therewith indicating the relationship between the passage II and the several ports in the shell 61. With such, dial the operator may then determine the set of the plug 69 to selectively extinguish the candles in any of the modes above described.

From the foregoing description, it will be noted that by means of the apparatus comprising this invention all of the previously mentioned objects of this invention may be attained by the use of means characterized by simplicity of construction and ease of operation. 1

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by the following claim or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

The combination with a hollow candle receiving member provided with candle guiding and stop means, of a candle consisting of a plurality of candle sections interconnected in spaced relation by means of a continuous wick, and means for successively feeding such candle sections upwardly through said hollow member and against said stop.

JOHN M. POWERS. 

